A 58-year-old Grand Rapids man has been charged and is being held on a $1 million bond for allegedly driving under the influence and causing the fatal collision that resulted in the death of his wife.
The incident occurred on Friday, September 15, on Freeman Road in Free Soil Township, Michigan.
The Mason County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed that Mark Casterman faces severe charges, encompassing murder, operating while intoxicated leading to death, driving with a suspended or revoked license resulting in death, and driving under the influence.
Around 11:15 am, deputies were dispatched to the scene. Upon their arrival, they discovered 45-year-old Melissa Sue Casterman lifeless. The driver of the vehicle, identified as Mark Casterman, her husband, was detained at the scene.
An investigation was initiated over the weekend by the sheriff’s office. Their probe involved collecting evidence from the scene, inspecting the involved vehicle, and post-mortem examination of the victim. Additionally, detectives analyzed tire mark measurements and reviewed security footage from the surrounding areas.
Details released by the Sheriff’s office reconstructed the events. It appears Melissa Casterman had been driving south on US 31, close to Freeman Road when she got into an argument with her husband Mark, her passenger.
Melissa subsequently stopped the car beside the road, left the vehicle, and began walking south on the northbound shoulder of US 31. Mark then took control of the vehicle, passed his wife twice before making a U-turn. He veered across the center of the road, driving onto the northbound shoulder where he rammed into Melissa, causing her instant death.
Commenting on the arrest, Sheriff Kim C. Cole praised the dedication and professionalism of the investigators.
